Trailside Summer Camps In Full Swing

MOUNTAINSIDE — Youngsters got to observe Box Turtles recently as part of their summer camp program at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center.

The “Magical and Natural Marvels” program was one of numerous week-long half-day camps offered for grade school children by Trailside, located in the heart of the 2,060-acre Watchung Reservation. More than 500 youngsters are enrolled in the various half and full day camps as well as summer evening and family programs offered by the center.

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LEAF & WORM BURRITOS…as one youngster called them, the fresh green leaves and juicy worms were the “special of the day” for this Box Turtle. Anna Bauer, left, of Cranford and Mia Schmidt, of Scotch Plains, watch as the turtle devoured the treats these third and fourth grade youngsters collected in the woods. The lessons about the habits of Box Turtles was part of the “Magical and Natural Marvels” Camp, one of the many summer programs at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center.

GOBBLING UP WORMS…Youngsters watch a Box Turtle devour a worm they found in the woods during their “Magical and Natural Marvels” Camp at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center. The four—Jason Currie of Westfield, Zachary Barash of Scotch Plains, Anna Bauer of Cranford and Mia Schmidt of Scotch Plains–went searching for fresh leaves and worms to feed the turtle, who enjoyed a banquet thanks to them.

NOT MANY CLASSROOMS…are as comfortable as the outdoor classroom at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation. All sorts of science and nature programs utilize the classroom as part of the summer-long series of nature and science camps for area youngsters.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL…Youngsters learn about the habits of Box Turtles from Shuli Rank, a summer naturalist at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation. While the turtles, most of which were rescued, normally live in the science center, Rank explained to the youngsters that by bringing the turtles back to the woods, they would exhibit some of their behavior in the wild.